Double Blow for England Pace Attack

England fast bowlers James Anderson and Mark Wood have been ruled out of the tour to Bangladesh with injuries, so Steve Finn and Jake Ball will replace them.

Double blow for England pace attack

Anderson has failed to recover from a shoulder blade injury that saw him miss a Test against Pakistan at home recently, while Wood has reinjured his problematic ankle.

An ECB release read: "Swing bowler Anderson has been withdrawn from the Test squad due to an ongoing injury to his right shoulder. He requires more time to ensure optimal healing of a stress fracture he sustained during the summer.

"Durham seamer Wood has had a recurrence of left ankle symptoms. He will miss the three One-day Internationals starting on Friday 7 October in Dhaka and the two Tests later in the month.

"Both players will be reviewed by the ECB’s medical team on a regular basis and further updates will be provided on their progress in due course.

"Middlesex’s Steven Finn is added to the ODI squad. Nottinghamshire’s Jake Ball is added to the Test squad and selectors will consider a further replacement for the Test squad at a later date."

This news depletes England's experience level on the tour further, as they were already without ODI skipper Eoin Morgan and all-format opening batsman Alex Hales, both of whom withdrew due to safety concerns.